ambassador susan rice still considered president obama's first choice, mccain's new assignment could result in an intense showdown. that is an understatement. >> his new favorite role is taking on susan rice, and i think -- >> that's all he has been doing is taking on susan rice. >> he is on to this one. it's going to be a great test for the president. it's clear the president wants to nominate her. it's clear he has not made that decision final. if he does, there's going to be a heck of a fight. it's going to put republicans in a box. they're going to have to make some decisions. at least lindsey graham and john mccain seem to be of one mind on this. >> going back to john mccain, though, this is a case of senatorial stalking. he was -- he had to give up the chairmanship of the armed services committee. he was term limited out in terms of the republican roles, so he went looking for another place where he could kind of do the same thing. >> he has found a corner of his own, but i think what is ironic here, mark, is that the republicans have rallied around john kerry anti-war hero who